Legal Advice Assistance

Sources of Legal Advice for ACAT litigants

ACAT is a dispute resolution body, similar to a Court. Thus, it cannot and will not, prior to dealing with the matter at hearing or conference, express a preference for one party or take “sides” in a dispute between litigants. ACAT registrars can however help in the preparation of material by parties so that they can present their cases to the best effect, but it will not advise on or give assistance with the content of that material or those presentations.

As with any dispute resolution body, ACAT appreciates useful, relevant and well-prepared content as this makes it easier to understand clearly what the litigant wants. In order to achieve this, litigants are encouraged to prepare their material in the best possible way.

There are organisations that will give advice to people on how this should best be done. They should be contacted as far in advance of the hearing or conference date as possible, as it is not always easy to get an appointment with such bodies at short notice.

ACAT generally works on the idea that people will run their own cases. This is not compulsory, and is sometimes not a good idea, if the matter concerns a larger sum of money, or you are not really good at making public presentations. If you are able to run a matter yourself, though, and you have a solicitor or other advocate who knows about your matter (and you can afford it), it is often valuable to spend a short time with such a professional going over how you should present your material, what you should say, what you should ask the other side and so on. You might not need to have the expense of a lawyer in court with you, but knowing how the lawyer would run the case if s/he were there is often of great benefit.

If you cannot afford a lawyer or professional advocate (eg, an accountant), there are people who can help you run your matter, often at no cost to you. A list of potential “free-advice” centres follows, together with their contact details. If you have a matter coming up at ACAT, you should make contact with the one that looks to be of the most relevance to you.

ACT Legal Assistance Forum Legal Help Directory

The ACT Legal Assistance Forum (ACTLAF) has developed the Legal Help Directory, which is a guide to free and low-cost legal services in the ACT. It can be accessed via the Legal Aid ACT website.

ACT Pro Bono Clearing House (ACT Law Society ) provides free legal adviceon simple legal matters. They can assist in determining a legal problem and the possible need for having the Legal Aid Office or a private solicitor to manage it.

Legal Aid Office ACT provides legal advice, information, assistance and representation to ACT residents disadvantaged in their access to the law. One half hour advice is provided either over the phone or in person to all who request it. Further assistance is means and merits tested.

Consumer Law Centre of the ACT (CLC) provides free legal assistance and advice to low to moderate income consumers, primarily in the areas of consumer credit, telecommunications and utilities, as well as general fair trading consumer protection.

Debt Enforcement Clinic - a joint initiative of the Consumer Law Centre of the ACT and the Australian Government Solicitor, providing legal services to individual consumers affected by debts that are being enforced, or at risk of being enforced, in court. Legal services include providing information, referrals and legal advice about your rights, and assist with preparing court documents and negotiations with creditors.

Hours: Every second Friday from 9:30am - 12:30pm.

Phone: (02) 6143 0044

Location: 1st Floor Waldorf Apartments2 Akuna St. Canberra City 2601

Canberra Community Law (formerly Welfare Rights & Legal Centre) is a community legal centre providing legal services to people on low incomes or facing other disadvantage in Canberra and its region. Our services include Housing Law, Social Security Law, Street Law, Disability Discrimination Law and Night Time Legal Advice Service:

Housing Law can provide you with free legal advice if you are having problems with Housing ACT or a community housing provider in the ACT. We can also provide advice to private tenants in the ACT who are on low income.

Hours: The advice line is open from 9:30am to 1.00pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

Tenants Advice Service provides free legal advice on tenancy matters, information and community education for all ACT tenants. Works on tenancy/housing issues and represents ACT tenants in a range of forums. Phone advice only. Afternoon appointments make over phone.

Hours: Phone between 10am and 1pm Mon-Fri and leave details for a call-back.

Women’s Legal Centre provides free, confidential telephone advice to women on legal issues. The organisation also researches law reform and runs community legal advice sessions. You should note that ACAT does not deal with restraining orders or domestic violence, and cannot assist or offer any advice about such matters. If your query involves these matters, this link may assist you, but you need to go to the act magistrates court to conduct or manage your matter.